Career Research Paper – Pre-AP
Career Research Paper
I have designed this assignment as a step by step guide to walk my students through the research process. Of course, you may adjust it as you feel is necessary according to the level of students you are working with. This project explains in detail everything they need to research, as well as, giving them real world insight into what to expect in a career in terms of education, job duties and responsibilities and income. I begin by having them take a reality check quiz on the Jump Start Coalition website. This little quiz helps them determine how much money they will need to earn in order to live the lifestyle they would like to have. This income amount in turn helps open their eyes to the type of job necessary to achieve that income and what amount of education is involved. It was a real wake up call for many of my students. In this package I have also included a grading rubric for the project and a list of possible career choices for their assignment.
Student Instructions
You will be writing a research paper on a career chosen from the attached list. Think carefully about which career you chose to research. Read through these directions and the requirements for this assignment BEFORE making your choice.
Materials needed for this project -
---note cards (preferably 3x5 lined)
---folder with pockets to keep all research materials in
---access to internet and reference books
A. Take reality check quiz at to determine the amount of money you will need to earn to live the lifestyle you want.
B. Choose a career from the attached list.
C. You will be required to have three sources for your paper – at least one of those needs to be from a reference book. You will need a source card for each source. Every place that you get information from for your paper needs to have a source card. Source cards need the following information:
Internet source
Author (if none, leave it blank)
Name of web page
year/ month/day published (if none listed, leave it blank)
year/month/date accessed (this is the date you looked at the information)
URL (This is what is listed in the address box. Only list this until the .com, .org, .net or .edu)
Book source
Author (if none, leave it blank)
Title of book
year published
city published
Publisher
D. Your paper will require research in each of the following areas. For each of the areas (numbered items) below you will need to do research to answer the questions I have listed, as well as, any other information you feel is important.
(1). Introduction:
Include name of the career you have chosen.
Why did you choose that career?
What appeals to you about this career?
(2.) Paragraph two – the job:
What does someone in this career do?
What are the daily duties and expectations for this job? (List at least 3 and explain
them.)
What would you consider the best parts of the day?
What would be the most challenging?
(3.) Paragraph three – required skills:
What are the skills, talents or personality traits required for this job?
In what ways are you suited for this career?
What personality characteristics or skills do you currently possess that you believe
will benefit you in this career?
(4.) Paragraph four – required education:
What are the educational requirements for this job?
How many years of study are involved?
Where would you obtain this education? (On-the-job training, junior college,
technical school, college or university?)
List two schools that provide this training.
(5.) Paragraph five - earnings:
What is the salary range for this career?
What factors affect how much you earn (commission, location, education, etc.)?
What is the usual entry level position into this field?
What expenses, other than educational, are involved in getting set up in this
career ?
(6.) Conclusion:
What do you like about this career choice?
In what setting would you like to have this career? (locally, out of state, big
company, small, etc.?)
E. Find and print a copy of an advertisement for a current job listing in this field.
Research
F. You will now do research to answer the questions in Step D. Write each question on a separate note card and label each of those cards with the paragraph numbers in Step D above. When you find the answer to a question, write the answer information on the back of that note card. This will help you organize your information later.
Outline, Rough Draft, Revise & Edit
G. When you have finished doing all your research – you’ve answered all your questions and feel like you have enough information for your paper – you will need to sort your cards into the paragraph numbers in Step D. Once your cards are organized, this will help you with your outline. Now write your outline for your research paper.
H. Once your outline is written you will write your rough draft. When your rough draft is finished have a competent person revise and edit your paper.
I. When your paper has been edited you need to go back over it and reread it to see what corrections or changes need to be made. Take your time and read it slowly!
Type Final Copy, Cover Sheet, Works Cited Page
J. You will now type your final copy. Use ARIAL 12 pt., double spaced. Put your name and page number in the upper right hand corner of each page.
K. Type a cover sheet centering the following information both vertically and horizontally on the page. You may use a font of your choosing for the title no larger than 30 point. The rest of the cover page needs to be in Arial 12 pt. and double spaced.
Title
Your name
Date
Teacher’s name
Language Arts period ____
L. Type a works cited page. In Microsoft Word go to the reference section and choose MLA, then insert citation or go to and create a works cited page there. Fill in the blanks with the information from your source cards.
M. Print your cover page, paper, copy of job listing (step E), and works cited page, staple and turn in.
CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE FINISHED!
Suggested Websites
Career Research Paper Rubric Name________________
Mechanics – Counts as one test grade
Cover sheet 5 points ________________
Works cited page 10 points ________________
Notecards (1 for each question and 1 for each source) 25 points ________________
Outline 20 points ________________
Rough Draft 20 points ________________
Final copy typed (Double spaced, Arial, 12 pt) 10 points ________________
Career advertisement 20 points ________________
TOTAL POINTS ________________
Content – Counts as one test grade
Questions answered
(1). Introduction:
Include name of the career you have chosen. 10 points ___________________
Why did you choose that career?
What appeals to you about this career?
(2.) Paragraph two – the job:
What does someone in this career do? 10 points ___________________
What are the daily duties and expectations for this job?
What would you consider the best parts of the day?
What would be the most challenging?
(3.) Paragraph three – required skills: 10 points ___________________
What are the skills, talents or personality traits required for this job?
In what ways are you suited for this career?
What personality characteristics or skills do you currently possess that you believe will benefit you in this career?
(4.) Paragraph four – required education:
What are the educational requirements for this job? 10 points ___________________
How many years of study are involved?
Where would you obtain this education?
List two schools that provide this training.
(5.) Paragraph five - earnings:
What is the salary range for this career? 10 points ___________________
What factors affect how much you earn?
What is the usual entry level position into this field?
What expenses are involved?
(6.) Conclusion:
What do you like about this career choice? 10 points ___________________
In what setting would you like to have this career?
Well written 25 points ____________________
Flows well with good transitions 15 points ____________________
TOTAL POINTS ______________________
Career List
Accountants and auditors Antiques and art dealers
Accounting clerks Apparel industry workers
Actor Apparel technician
Actuary Appliance Service technician
Acupuncturist Appraiser
Adult day care coordinator Aquaculturist
Advanced practice nurse Arborist
Adventure travel specialist Archaeologist
Advertising account executive Architects
Advertising and marketing manager Archivist
Advertising worker Aromatherapist
Aerobics instructor & fitness trainer Art dealer
Aeronautical and aerospace technician Art director
Aerospace engineer Artist
Aerospace technician Assessors
Agribusiness technician Astronaut
Agricultural consultant Astronomer
Agricultural equipment technician Astrophysicist
Agricultural pilot Athletic director
Agricultural scientist Auctioneer
Aircraft mechanics Audio recording engineer
Airplane dispatchers Auditor
Air quality engineer Automobile collision repair
Air traffic controller Auto sales
Alcohol and drug abuse counselors Auto service technician
Allergists/immunologists Auto industry worker
Ambassadors Avionics engineer
Amusement park workers Baggage porter & bellhop
Anesthesiologist Bail bondsmen
Animal breeder and technician Bailiffs
Animal caretaker Bakery worker
Animal handler Bank examiner
Animal technician Barber
Animal trainer
Animator Bed and breakfast owner
Anthropologist Beekeeper
Bicycle mechanic Bellhop
Billing clerk Cleaning service owner
Biochemist Clinical nurse specialist
Biologist Coach
Biomedical engineer Coal miner
Bodyguard Collections worker
Book editor College administrator
Bookkeeping clerk College professor
Border patrol officer Color analyst
Botanist Columnist
Bounty hunter Commodities broker
Bricklayer and stonemasons Communications equipment tech
Broadcast engineers Community health nurse
Business manager Composer and arranger
Buyer Computer sales
Cable television technician Computer technician
Camera operator Computer and video game designer
Campaign worker Computer programmer
Cardiologist Computer trainer
Career and employment counselor Construction laborer
Carpenter Cook
Cartographer Copywriter
Cartoonist and animator Corrections officer
Cashier Cosmetician
Caterer Cosmetic sales
Chef Cosmetic surgeon
Chemical engineer Cosmetologist
Chemist Costume designer
Chief information officer Counter and retail clerk
Child care worker Court reporter
Chimney sweeps Critical care nurse
Chiropractor Cruise ship worker
Choreographer Customer service representative
Cinematographer Customs official
Circus performer Dancer
City manager Data entry clerk
Civil engineer Dental assistant
Claims adjuster Dentist
Dermatologist Firefighter
Desktop publishing specialist Fish and game warden
Detective Fisher
Dietician Fitness trainer
Disc jockey Flight attendant
Diver Floor covering installer
Drafter Florist
Dry cleaner Food service worker
Drywall installers and finishers Foreign correspondent
Ecologist Forensic expert
Economist Forester
Editor Fund-raiser
Electrical engineer Funeral home worker
Electronic engineer Genealogist
Electrician Geographer
Elementary school teacher Geologist
Emergency medical technician Geriatrics
Emergency nurse Golf course superintendent
Engineer Grant writer
ESL teacher Graphic designer
Environmental engineer Greeting card designer
Ergonomist Grief therapist
Event planner Guidance counselor
Exhibit designer Hazardous waste specialist
Export-import specialist Health inspector
Farm equipment manager Health care manager
Farmer Heating and cooling tech
Fashion coordinator Helicopter pilot
Fashion designer Horticultural tech
Fashion photographer Hospice worker
Fast food worker Hotel manager
FBI agent Human service worker
Film and television director Hypnotherapist
Film and television extra Illustrator
Financial analyst Image consultant
Financial planner Insurance
Interior designer Nutritionist
Internet consultant Occupational therapist
Interpreter Ophthalmologist
Janitor Optometrist
Jewelry industry Orthodontist
Jockey Packaging
Judge Painter
Lab tech Paleontologist
Landscape architect Paralegal
Landscaper Park ranger
Lawyer Parole officer
Legal secretary Pediatrician
Librarian Pest control
Lifeguard Pet groomer
Locksmith Pharmacist
Magician photographer
Mail carrier Physical therapist
Marine biologist Physician assistant
Massage therapist Physician
Meatcutter Pilot
Mechanical engineer Plumber
Media relations Police officer
Medical assistant Production assistant
Medical secretary Professional athlete
Meteorologist Property manager
Meter readers Psychiatrist
Microbiologist Psychologist
Model Public relations
Mortuary cosmetologist Quality control tech
Museum Radio and television
Musician Railroad
Music therapist Real estate
Nail technician Receptionist
Nanny Recreation
Neonatal nurse Recycling
Newspaper industry Referee
Nonprofit industry Reporter
Nurse Resort worker
Restaurant worker
Retail clerk
Retirement
Robotics
Roofer
Sales rep
Singer
Social worker
Software designer
Sports agent
Sports trainer
Stunt performer
Surgeon
Tailor
Taxidermist
Taxi driver
Tax preparer
Teacher
Toll collector
Tour guide
Toy and game designer
Traffic engineer
Translator
Travel agent
Truck driver
Umpire
Veterinarian
Webmaster
Wedding consultant
Welder
Writer
Zoo industry
................
................
In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.
To fulfill the demand for quickly locating and searching documents.
It is intelligent file search solution for home and business.
Related searches
- career goals paper examples
- career research paper template
- career research paper essay example
- mla career research paper example
- career research paper outline
- career research paper essay
- pre ap chemistry syllabus
- career research paper pdf
- career research paper on nursing
- career research paper sample
- career research paper example
- career research paper introduction